Back to GetFilings.com

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

FORM 10-K

Commission file number 1-3671

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

      Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.     Yes þ          No o

      Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment of this Form 10-K.     Yes þ

      Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 12b-2).     Yes þ          No o

      The aggregate market value of the voting common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant was $21,471,168,789 as of June 28, 2002.

      217,537,097 shares of the registrant’s common stock were outstanding at March 14, 2003.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE:

      Parts I and II incorporate information from certain portions of the registrant’s Annual Report to security holders for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002 (the 2002 Annual Report).

      Part III incorporates information from certain portions of the registrant’s definitive proxy statement for the 2003 annual meeting of shareholders to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days after the close of the fiscal year.

      Certain sections of this Annual Report on Form 10-K contain forward-looking statements, which are based on management’s expectations, estimates, projections and assumptions. Words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “believes,” “scheduled,” “estimates” and variations of these words and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements which include but are not limited to projections of revenues, earnings, segment performance, cash flows, contract awards, aircraft production, deliveries and backlog stability. Forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks and uncertainties, which are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual future results and trends may differ materially from what is forecast in forward-looking statements due to a variety of factors, including, without limitation: the company’s successful execution of internal performance plans; general U.S. and international political and economic conditions; changing priorities in the U.S. government defense budget; termination of government contracts due to unilateral government action; program performance, including the ability to perform fixed-price contracts within estimated costs and performance issues with key suppliers and subcontractors; changing customer demand or preferences for business aircraft, including the effects of economic conditions on the business aircraft market; reliance on a large fleet customer for a significant portion of the firm aircraft contracts backlog and the majority of the options backlog; the status or outcome of legal and/or regulatory proceedings; and the timing and occurrence (or non-occurrence) of circumstances beyond the company’s control. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this report or, in the case of any document incorporated by reference, the date of that document. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to the company or any person acting on the company’s behalf are qualified by the cautionary statements in this section. The company does not undertake any obligation to update or publicly release any revisions to forward-looking statements to reflect events, circumstances or changes in expectations after the date of this report.

PART I

Item 1.     Business

Business Overview

      General Dynamics is a Delaware corporation formed in 1952 as successor to the Electric Boat Company. In the mid 1990’s, the company began a series of acquisitions that expanded its core businesses in the defense industry, broadened its expertise in systems integration and C4ISR (command and control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance) systems, and added business aviation products and services to the company’s offerings. Since 1995, the company has acquired 26 businesses, including three acquisitions during 2002. In the fourth quarter of 2002, the company entered into a definitive agreement to acquire General Motors Defense of London, Ontario (GM Defense), a business unit of General Motors Corporation. The transaction closed on March 1, 2003. The company’s businesses include mission-critical information technology and communications, land and amphibious combat systems, shipbuilding and marine systems, and business aviation. These are leading-edge technology businesses that provide the highest quality products and capabilities to the company’s customers.

      The company operates in four primary business groups — Information Systems and Technology, Combat Systems, Marine Systems and Aerospace — and a smaller Resources group. Information on revenues, operating profit and identifiable assets attributable to each of the company’s reportable business groups is included in Note S to the Consolidated Financial Statements on page 54 of the 2002 Annual Report, filed as Exhibit 13 to this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002, and incorporated herein by reference.

      The company’s principal customers are the U.S. military, other government organizations, the armed forces of allied nations, and a diverse base of corporate and industrial buyers. The company’s government-source revenues are significantly linked to trends in the U.S. defense industry, and to a lesser extent, the defense industries of foreign countries. Its business aviation revenues are affected by global economic conditions in general and the market for capital goods in particular.

2

      Since taking office in 2001, the Bush administration has increased the U.S. defense budget to levels not seen since the Reagan administration. For fiscal year 2003, Congress appropriated $366 billion to the Department of Defense, an increase of 12 percent from the fiscal year 2002 appropriation, to strengthen the U.S. military as it confronts current threats and transforms to meet future ones. Of this amount, $59 billion was allocated for research and development programs, and $72 billion for procurement — increases of 21 percent and 17 percent over the prior year’s funding levels, respectively. For fiscal year 2004, President Bush has requested that Congress appropriate $380 billion for the Department of Defense, including almost $62 billion for research and development and almost $73 billion for procurement. These two categories of spending drive over 60 percent of the company’s sales, and the fact that these increases have come in spite of increasing budget deficits reflects the Bush administration’s commitment to the military. While Congress will ultimately decide how much to appropriate for the military in 2004, the company expects continued support of its key programs.

      The company’s business aviation segment is subject to overall economic conditions in the United States and has been affected by the economic slowdown in the capital goods sector. However, as a result of aggressive management initiatives, the company is well-positioned to gain market share when the economy improves. The company also markets its aircraft to the U.S. government and international governments for special missions, expanding the reach of this business beyond the individual and corporate customer base.

      Following is a description of the company’s products and services by business group, competition and other related information.

Products and Services

INFORMATION SYSTEMS AND TECHNOLOGY

      The Information Systems and Technology group is a leading integrator of secure communication systems and networks, and command, control and intelligence systems for the U.S. military and its allies.

      Net sales for the Information Systems and Technology group were 27 percent of the company’s consolidated net sales in 2002, 22 percent in 2001 and 23 percent in 2000. Net sales (in millions) by major products and services were as follows:

      The Information Systems and Technology group provides defense and commercial customers with infrastructure and systems integration capabilities required to process, communicate and manage information effectively. The group has leading market positions in the design and development, integration, deployment, and maintenance of wireline and wireless voice and data networks; C4ISR systems; encryption; ruggedized computing; advanced software and electronics systems development; and lifecycle management and support.

      The group’s expertise in technology, systems design and integration, and key platform subsystems helps the company’s other business groups improve their products. This expertise has also positioned the company as a lead systems integrator, delivering solutions that create decisive communication and information-management advantages for military, government and commercial customers around the world. In pursuit of this vision, the company realigned the group by common expertise and customer groups effective January 1, 2002. This resulted in the creation of five business units: Advanced Information Systems, C4 Systems, Decision Systems, Network Systems and General Dynamics United Kingdom Limited.

3

COMBAT SYSTEMS

      The Combat Systems group provides systems integration, design, development, production and support for armored vehicles, armaments, munitions and components. Its product lines include a full spectrum of armored vehicles, turrets and turret drive systems; unmanned systems; suspensions, engines and transmissions; medium-caliber guns; ammunition handling systems; medium-and large-caliber ammunition; reactive armor; and ordnance.

      Net sales for the Combat Systems group were 21 percent of the company’s consolidated net sales in 2002, 19 percent in 2001 and 12 percent in 2000. Net sales (in millions) by major products and services were as follows:

      The acquisition of GM Defense establishes the company as the sole source provider under a contract with the U.S. Army to complete development, testing, evaluation and production of up to 2,131 eight-wheeled armored vehicles called “Stryker” vehicles. Prior to the acquisition, the company and GM Defense were partners in a joint venture that delivered 356 Stryker vehicles under this contract.

      The company designs and manufactures the M1 Series Abrams Main Battle Tank for the Army and various foreign governments. The company also performs engineering and upgrade work, and provides support for existing armored vehicles. Under an Army contract, the company is upgrading 307 tanks to the M1A2 SEP configuration. As of December 31, 2002, 163 tanks remain to be upgraded, with deliveries scheduled through 2004.

      The company is under contract to the U.S. Marine Corps for the systems development and demonstration phase of the Advanced Amphibious Assault Vehicle (AAAV). Under this phase, the company expects to complete the design and development of the AAAV, manufacture nine new prototypes, refurbish three early development prototypes and prepare for the production phase of the program.

      The company expects a major role in the development of the Army’s Future Combat Systems (FCS) based on the recent signing of a teaming agreement with The Boeing Company and United Defense, L.P. The FCS will be the core of the Army’s transformation into its next-generation fighting force. The agreement forms an integrated design team for the development of the manned ground vehicle elements of the FCS.

      In Spain, the company has a contract to provide to the Spanish army 235 Leopard main battle tanks, built under license from a German company. The company is also scheduled to produce 181 Pizarro tracked infantry fighting vehicles, including 176 vehicles in Phase II of the program, which was awarded in 2002.

      The company provides a total range of armament system capabilities including design, development, production and lifecycle management. Products include a wide range of medium- and large-caliber ammunition and propellant products. The company provides systems management and produces rockets, warheads and motors for the Army’s 2.75-inch Hydra-70 rocket system. The company is the gun system integrator for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) and the systems integrator of the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System program, the successor to the Hydra-70 rocket system. The company contributes advanced composite structures to numerous aerospace platforms, including the F-16, F-18, F-22, C-17, JSF, and unmanned aerial vehicles such as the Global

4

MARINE SYSTEMS

      The Marine Systems group provides the U.S. Navy with combat vessels, including nuclear submarines, surface combatants and auxiliary ships. The group also provides ship management services for the U.S. government and builds large-hulled vessels for commercial customers.

      Net sales for the Marine Systems group were 26 percent of the company’s consolidated net sales in 2002, 30 percent in 2001 and 33 percent in 2000. Net sales (in millions) by major products and services were as follows:

      The company designs, builds and supports nuclear submarines for the Navy. The company has construction contracts for the first four ships of the Virginia-class submarine program and the third of three Seawolf-class attack submarines. Construction work on the Virginia-class submarine is shared equally with Northrop Grumman Newport News (NGNN).

      The company also has design, engineering and construction management responsibilities for the conversion of four Trident-class SSBN nuclear ballistic missile submarines to cruise missile SSGN configuration. As SSGNs, these submarines will be delivery platforms for cruise missiles, special operations forces and advanced payloads and sensors.

      In addition to nuclear submarine design and construction, the company performs a broad range of engineering work, including advanced research and technology development, systems and component design evaluation, prototype development, and logistics support for the operating fleet. The company also serves as ship integrator for certain components and subassemblies of the submarines, such as electronic equipment.

      The company has been awarded contracts to date for the construction of 27 Arleigh Burke-class destroyers (DDG-51) and plays a lead role in providing design, engineering and ongoing lifecycle support services for these ships. The company was also a member of a three-contractor team led by Northrop Grumman Ship Systems (NGSS) that was awarded a contract to design and build the Navy’s new San Antonio-class of amphibious assault ships (LPD). In 2002, the company, the Navy and NGSS agreed to transfer construction of four LPDs from the company to NGSS in exchange for construction of up to four DDGs. As a result of this swap arrangement and a multiyear agreement awarded shortly thereafter, the company received contracts to construct a total of seven DDGs with a total value of $3.7 billion.

      The company was one of six contractors that received a contract from the Navy to explore advanced concepts for a Littoral Combat Ship (LCS). The LCS is an integrated surface combatant capable of operating in coastal areas against terrorist threats, high-speed swarm boats, mines and diesel submarines. The LCS program envisions ship construction beginning in 2005.

      DD(X) is the Navy’s next generation family of surface combatants. The company is a major subcontractor on the design phase of the DD(X) program.

      The company designs and builds ships for the Navy and commercial customers. The company currently has contracts for the design and construction of three dry-cargo combat logistics ships, with options for up to nine additional ships, and has recently completed the last of eight strategic sealift ships for the Navy. Contracts with

5

      The company provides ship repair and other services to the Navy and commercial customers. The company also manages 23 ready-reserve, fast sealift and prepositioning ships for the U.S. government.

AEROSPACE

      The Aerospace group is composed of Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation and General Dynamics Aviation Services. The Aerospace group designs, develops, manufactures, markets, and provides maintenance and support services for technologically advanced business jets. The group also sells special mission aircraft to governments around the world. Gulfstream has delivered nearly 1,400 aircraft to customers since 1958, the year operations began.

      Net sales for the Aerospace group were 24 percent of the company’s consolidated net sales in 2002, 27 percent in 2001 and 29 percent in 2000. Net sales (in millions) by major products and services were as follows:

      During 2002, the company increased its product offering from four aircraft models to seven, priced from $12 million to $46 million. In addition to the G100 and G200 products, added in 2001, the Aerospace group introduced the G150, G300, G400, G500 and G550 in 2002. The Gulfstream GIV-SP, GV and GV-SP brand names will no longer be used for future models. The company increased its product offering to compete vigorously in market segments in which it did not previously participate.

      The Gulfstream G550 and the Gulfstream G500 serve the large-cabin ultra-long-range market. The company believes the G550 and G500 offer the best combination of large cabin size, fast cruising speed and advanced avionics of any large business jet in the ultra-long-range market segment. The Gulfstream G550 received a Provisional Type Certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration in 2002. Initial entry into service for the G550 is scheduled for the third quarter of 2003 and for the G500, the first quarter of 2004. The G400 large-cabin business jet serves the long-range market. The company believes the G400’s large cabin, advanced technology and five-year service and training package make it the leader in its market segment. The G400 is scheduled to enter service in 2003. The company believes the G300 serves an emerging market segment: business travelers seeking an affordable large-cabin business jet with international flight capability. The G300 is also scheduled for entry into service in 2003. The G150, a wide-cabin high-speed aircraft, will replace the G100 when it enters into service in 2005. The company believes the G150 will offer the best range and speed of any aircraft in its market segment.

      This expanded product offering reduced the company’s product pricing separation from a $10 million average to a $5 million average between each aircraft model. This created a new buying opportunity for customers by offering greater value compared with competitors’ products.

      Gulfstream Product Support provides an integrated worldwide network of company-owned service centers, parts depots, and field and technical representatives able to meet customer needs at any time. Gulfstream Airborne Product Support is an industry-exclusive customer service provided to support warranty aircraft. Additional Gulfstream authorized third party service centers provide customers extended product support coverage. General Dynamics Aviation Services provides aircraft maintenance services, spares and technical support for Challengers, Falcons, Gulfstreams, Hawkers and other business jet aircraft. In an effort to grow the service business, five strategically located facilities service and support both Gulfstream aircraft and competitors’ aircraft.

6

      The Aerospace group routinely accepts pre-owned aircraft in trade to facilitate the sale of new Gulfstream aircraft. These aircraft are then resold by the company in the pre-owned market.

RESOURCES

      The company’s Resources businesses consist of a coal mining operation, an aggregates operation and a leasing operation for liquefied natural gas tankers. Net sales for these businesses represented approximately 2 percent of the company’s consolidated net sales in 2002 and 2001 and 3 percent of consolidated sales in 2000. Net sales (in millions) were $286 in 2002, $276 in 2001 and $253 in 2000.

Competition

      Virtually all of the products produced and sold by the company are highly engineered and require sophisticated manufacturing and system integration techniques and capabilities. Additionally, the product and program needs of the company’s government and commercial customers regularly change and evolve. The company’s ability to successfully compete is highly dependent on the technical excellence and reliability of its products and services, its reputation for integrating complex systems, the ability of its leadership team to successfully manage the company’s businesses and respond to the changing needs of its customers, and the cost competitiveness of its products and services.

DEFENSE CONTRACTS

      The company’s defense businesses are subject to substantial competition from domestic and foreign entities ranging from large defense contractors to smaller companies. A variety of factors determine the results of different competitions including, price, technological capabilities, past performance and customer confidence. The company also is frequently a partner with, or subcontractor to, a defense supplier on one project, with which it is competing for another award. These strategic partnerships and relationships improve the company’s ability to obtain new business, but also make it crucial for the company to distinguish itself from its competitors.

      With respect to the market in which the Information Systems and Technology group participates, the company competes with a broad range of entities ranging in size from large defense industry participants to smaller niche competitors that have specialized technologies. In the market it serves, the Combat Systems group faces a variety of major domestic and foreign competitors in each of its operating units. Additionally, the company is partnered with two large defense contractors on the manned vehicle portion of the Future Combat Systems program. The Marine Systems group has one primary competitor with which the company is also teamed on several programs including the Virginia-class submarine construction contract.

BUSINESS AIRCRAFT

      The business aircraft market generally is divided into segments based on the cabin size and range of the aircraft. The Aerospace group offers a total of seven products in the following market segments: mid-cabin high speed; wide-cabin high-speed; large-cabin mid-range; large-cabin long-range; and large-cabin ultra-long-range.

      The G100 mid-cabin high-speed business jet and the G150 wide-cabin high-speed business jet compete in the $12 million to $14 million pricing segment. The G150 will offer many of the same performance and range features as the G100, but will have a wider and longer cabin. It is scheduled to enter service in 2005. Both the G100 and G150 compete with the Raytheon Hawker 800XP, the Bombardier Learjet 60 and the Cessna Citation Sovereign. The G200 large-cabin mid-range business jet competes in the $16 million to $21 million pricing segment against Bombardier’s Challenger 300, Raytheon’s Hawker Horizon, Dassault’s Falcon 50EX, Cessna’s Citation X and Embraer’s Legacy.

      The G300 large-cabin mid-range business jet, another new entry in the Gulfstream fleet, competes in the $21 million to $27 million pricing segment. The G300 is expected to enter service in 2003 and will compete with Bombardier’s Challenger 604 and Dassault’s Falcon 2000EX. The G400 large-cabin long-range business jet, scheduled to enter service in 2003, competes in the $29 million to $33 million pricing segment against Dassault’s Falcon 900C and Falcon 900EX. The G500 large-cabin ultra-long-range business jet competes in the $35 million

7

      The company believes it competes favorably in its markets on the basis of the performance characteristics of its aircraft, the quality and timeliness of the service it provides, its advanced technology, and its innovative marketing programs.

Customers

      Historically, the majority of the company’s sales have been to U.S. government agencies. In 2002, 64 percent of the company’s net sales were to the U.S. government, either as a prime contractor or as a subcontractor; 23 percent were to U.S. commercial customers; 6 percent were to international commercial customers; and the remaining 7 percent were directly to international defense customers.

U.S. GOVERNMENT

      Net sales to the U.S. government include Foreign Military Sales (FMS), which are sales to foreign governments through the U.S. government, whereby the company contracts with and receives payment from the U.S. government and the U.S. government assumes the risk of collection from the customer. U.S. government sales (in millions) were as follows:

      The company’s U.S. government products and programs must compete with the products and programs of other defense contractors as well as the non-defense spending priorities of the U.S. government. The funding of government programs is dependent on congressional appropriations and administrative allotment of funds, and may be affected by changes in government policies resulting from various military and political developments. The company’s U.S. government business is sensitive to changes in national and international priorities and the budget of the U.S. government.

      In addition, U.S. government defense contracts typically involve long lead times for design and development, and are subject to significant changes in contract scheduling. Congress generally appropriates funds on a fiscal year basis even though a program may continue for several years. Consequently, programs are often only partially funded initially, and additional funds are committed only as Congress makes further appropriations, therefore making U.S. government programs subject to uncertain future funding levels.

      The company’s U.S. government business is performed under both cost-reimbursement (sometimes referred to as “cost-type”) and fixed-price contracts. Contracts for research, engineering, prototypes, repair and maintenance are often cost-reimbursement arrangements, under which the customer reimburses the company for allowable costs and pays a predetermined fee. A large percentage of the company’s production contracts are fixed-price arrangements, pursuant to which the company agrees to perform a specific scope of work for a fixed amount. For the year ended December 31, 2002, cost-type and fixed-price contracts accounted for approximately 46 percent and 54 percent, respectively, of the company’s defense business.

      Cost-reimbursement and fixed-price contracts present their own advantages and disadvantages for the company. Cost-type arrangements generally involve lower risk for the company, and sometimes involve fee schedules that allow the company to obtain increased payments for satisfying certain performance criteria. However, not all of the company’s costs are recoverable under these types of contracts, and the government

8

U.S. COMMERCIAL

      Commercial sales (in millions) to domestic customers were $3,235 in 2002, $3,555 in 2001 and $3,158 in 2000. These sales represented approximately 23 percent of the company’s consolidated net sales in 2002, 29 percent in 2001, and 31 percent in 2000. The majority of the company’s commercial sales were for Gulfstream aircraft to national and multinational corporations. These sales are to many of the Fortune 500 public companies, large privately held companies and wealthy individuals. The aircraft are operated by customers in a wide spectrum of industries, including pharmaceuticals, consumer goods, high technology, energy, industrial manufacturing, finance, insurance, real estate, mining, transportation, communications, public utilities and retail.

      The company has an agreement with an unaffiliated customer, NetJets Inc. (NetJets), a unit of Berkshire Hathaway and the leader in the fractional market, for the sale of aircraft for use in its fractional ownership program. Sales to NetJets were approximately 6 percent of the Aerospace group’s sales in 2002 and approximately 9 percent of the group’s sales in both 2001 and 2000.

INTERNATIONAL

      Direct international sales (in millions) to both defense and commercial customers were $1,788 in 2002, $1,180 in 2001 and $967 in 2000. These sales represented approximately 13 percent of the company’s consolidated net sales in 2002, 10 percent in 2001, and 9 percent in 2000. International defense sales were derived primarily from the company’s subsidiaries located abroad. International commercial sales were related primarily to the export of business aircraft. The company owns operations located in Canada, the U.K., Spain and Germany. For the year ended December 31, 2002, sales and operating earnings from international operations were 7 percent and 6 percent of consolidated sales and operating earnings, respectively. Identifiable assets of operations domiciled outside the U.S. were 8 percent of total identifiable assets as of December 31, 2002, 7 percent as of December 31, 2001, and 4 percent as of December 31, 2000. At December 31, 2002, these assets consisted primarily of cash and intangible assets, including goodwill.

      For information regarding sales by geographic region, see Note S to the Consolidated Financial Statements on page 54 of the 2002 Annual Report, filed as Exhibit 13 to this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002, and incorporated herein by reference.

Suppliers

      The company is dependent upon suppliers and subcontractors for raw materials and a large number of components used in the production of its products. In some instances, the company is dependent on one or a few sources of supply. A disruption in deliveries from its suppliers, therefore, could have an adverse effect on the company’s ability to meet its commitments to customers. The company has not experienced, and does not foresee any, difficulty in obtaining the materials, components or supplies necessary for its business operations.

Research and Development

      The company’s defense and business aviation operations conduct independent research and development activities, which include bid and proposal work. The company’s defense businesses also conduct research and development activities under U.S. government contracts. These research efforts have been and continue to be concerned with developing products for large systems development programs and performing work under research and development technology contracts.

      Research and development activities of the company’s defense businesses represented the majority of company-sponsored expenditures in each of the past three years. A significant portion of these expenditures is recovered through overhead charges pursuant to U.S. government contracts. Research and development activities

9

      Research and development expenditures (in millions) were as follows:

Backlog

      Summary backlog information (in millions) for each business group is as follows:

      For further discussion of backlog, see Management’s Discussion and Analysis of the Results of Operations and Financial Condition on pages 21 through 35 of the 2002 Annual Report, filed as Exhibit 13 to this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002, and incorporated herein by reference.

DEFENSE BUSINESSES

      The total backlog represents the estimated remaining sales value of work to be performed under firm contracts. The funded backlog for government programs represents those items that have been authorized and appropriated by Congress and funded by the procuring agency. The unfunded backlog represents firm orders for which funding has not been appropriated. To the extent the backlog has not been funded, there is no assurance that congressional appropriations or agency allotments will be forthcoming.

AEROSPACE

      The Aerospace funded backlog represents orders for which the company has entered into definitive purchase contracts and has received deposits from the customers. The Aerospace unfunded backlog includes options to purchase new aircraft and agreements to provide future aircraft maintenance and support services. Forty-three percent of the Aerospace funded backlog is with commercial customers other than NetJets. The backlog with NetJets represents 53 percent of the Aerospace funded backlog. The remaining 4 percent of the Aerospace funded backlog is with government customers. NetJets represents substantially all of Aerospace option backlog. Deliveries of aircraft to NetJets are scheduled from 2003 through 2010 and represent approximately 7 percent to 15 percent of projected annual new aircraft sales during that period.

10

Regulatory Matters

U.S. GOVERNMENT DEFENSE CONTRACTS

      In 2002, over 60 percent of the company’s net sales were to the U.S. government, either as a prime contractor or as a subcontractor. Generally, government contracts are subject to oversight audits by government representatives and contain provisions permitting termination, in whole or in part, at the government’s convenience or for default. If a contract is terminated at the convenience of the U.S. government, a contractor is entitled to receive payments for its allowable costs and, in general, the proportionate share of fees or earnings for the work done. Contracts that are terminated for default generally provide that the government only pays for the work it has accepted and may require the contractor to pay for the incremental cost of reprocurement and may hold the contractor liable for damages.

      The company’s government businesses are also subject to a number of procurement laws and regulations. Failure to comply with these regulations and requirements can result in civil, criminal or administrative proceedings involving fines, penalties, suspension of payments, and suspension or debarment from government contracting or subcontracting for a period of time.

BUSINESS AIRCRAFT

      The Aerospace group is subject to regulation by the Federal Aviation Administration in the United States and other similar aviation regulatory authorities throughout the world. For an aircraft to be manufactured and sold, the model must have received a Type Certificate from the appropriate aviation authority, and each individual aircraft must have also received a Certificate of Airworthiness. Maintenance facilities are also required to be licensed by aviation authorities. Aviation authorities have the power to require changes to aircraft if deemed necessary for safety purposes.

ENVIRONMENTAL

      The company’s operations are subject to and affected by a variety of federal, state, local and foreign environmental laws and regulations relating to the discharge, treatment, storage, disposal, investigation and remediation of certain materials, substances and wastes. The company continually assesses its compliance status and management of other environmental matters. The company believes that its operations are in substantial compliance with all applicable environmental laws and regulations.

      Operating and maintenance costs associated with environmental compliance and management of contaminated sites are a normal, recurring part of the company’s operations. These costs are not significant relative to total operating costs or cash flows and often are allowable costs under the company’s contracts with the U.S. government. These costs have not been material in the past and, based on information presently available to the company and U.S. government policies relating to allowable costs in effect at this time, all of which are subject to change, the company does not expect continued compliance to have a material impact on the company’s results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.

11

      Under existing U.S. environmental laws, “Potentially Responsible Parties” (PRP) are jointly and severally liable, and therefore, the company is potentially liable to the government or third parties for the full cost of remediating contamination at the company’s facilities or former facilities or at third-party sites where the company has been designated a PRP by the Environmental Protection Agency or a state environmental agency. In the unlikely event that the company is required to fully fund the remediation of a site, the statutory framework would allow the company to pursue rights to contribution from other PRPs. Additional information relating to the impact of environmental controls is included in Item 3, “Legal Proceedings — Environmental” on page 20 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002.

Intellectual Property

      The company is an established leader in the development of innovative products, manufacturing technologies and systems integration practices. In addition to owning a large portfolio of proprietary intellectual property, the company also licenses certain intellectual property rights of third parties, including the U.S. government. Additionally, in many cases, the U.S. government licenses the company’s patents, pursuant to which the government may use or authorize others to use the inventions covered by the patents. Although these intellectual property rights are important to the operation of the company’s business, no existing patent, license or other intellectual property right is of such importance that its loss or termination would, in the opinion of management, have a material impact on the company’s business.

Employees

      As of December 31, 2002, the company had approximately 54,000 employees, of whom 32 percent were covered by collective bargaining agreements with various unions, the most significant of which are the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, the Marine Draftsmen’s Association, the Metal Trades Council of New London, Connecticut, and the United Auto Workers Union. Agreements covering less than 1 percent of total employees are due to expire during 2003.

Available Information

      The company makes available free of charge its annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as soon as reasonably practicable after the filing has been made with the SEC. Reports may be obtained through the company’s website at GeneralDynamics.com or by calling investor relations at (703) 876-3000.

      These reports may also be obtained at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 450 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20599. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room is available by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC also maintains a website (SEC.gov) that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC.

12

Executive Officers of The Registrant

      All executive officers of the company are elected annually. No executive officer of the company was selected pursuant to any arrangement or understanding between the officer and any other person. The name, age, offices and positions held for the last five years of the company’s executive officers as of March 14, 2003 were as follows:

13